"Cooperation? What kind of cooperation?"
Qin Jianzhong was still somewhat guarded in his heart.
He didn't believe that anyone in this world truly repaid kindness with enmity.
"You take my uncle with you, and I'll give you another batch of Qizi Gao. You help me sell it at a higher price."
Since Qin Jianzhong could sell the Baotai Pills, Cheng You was confident he could sell the Qizi Gao as well.
"Your uncle?"
Cheng You nodded. "Didn't Zhao Yunlin ask you to go out of the province with him to get goods? Don't take him; take my uncle. When we get back, we'll open a general store. That will be our partnership."
For some reason, Qin Jianzhong felt an urge to agree.
He had an inexplicable trust in Cheng You.
He just felt that what Cheng You said could make money.
"Why take me?" he asked with difficulty.
Cheng You said, "Isn't your wife in urgent need of money?"
Qin Jianzhong turned his back, holding back the tears that welled up in his eyes.
The more Cheng You was like this, the more uncomfortable he felt.
"Have you discussed these proposals of yours with your husband?"
"Yes, he agreed."
This sentence was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. He slowly bent down, tears falling rapidly and splashing onto the floor.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Cheng You thought he was apologizing for Cheng Tao's matter and smiled.
"Since you feel you've made a mistake, aren't I giving you a chance to make amends now?"
Qin Jianzhong wiped his eyes. "I accept your terms."
He had no money or power, and there were few things he could do.
He would consider it penance for what he had done.
Cheng You smiled and extended her hand to him. "Then, shall we have a pleasant cooperation?"
Qin Jianzhong lightly touched her finger and thanked her sincerely.
When he returned home, he eagerly told Wang Fang about it.
Despite her happiness, Wang Fang was overwhelmed by fear and guilt.
"What if we get caught?"
Cheng You could forgive Qin Jianzhong because his actions had not threatened her.
But what she had done to Qi Chengyan had truly ruined his life.
Wang Fang's mind was squeezed by various emotions, causing her head to ache.
Qin Jianzhong quickly hugged her. "Don't worry. I'm just doing business with her. I won't bring people back, and you won't meet them. What we owe Qi Chengyan, I will work hard to repay by doing good work for them."
He would spend the rest of his days atoning, hoping for his children to be spared.
...
After settling Qin Jianzhong's matter, Cheng You took some things and went to find Old Master Jiang.
Her original intention was to have Jiang Dingcheng go with Qin Jianzhong, but whether he was willing was another matter.
After all, traveling with a transport team was not an easy job.
Although the old man had spent his entire life in the small place of Yangshu Village, he had wanted to venture out in his youth.
But the circumstances did not permit.
Now that the opportunity had presented itself, he naturally supported Jiang Dingcheng going.
Cheng You said, "It's not just my eldest uncle. If other uncles and cousins are willing, they can all go."
The old man felt that too many people were unnecessary. Too many people meant too many mouths, and disagreements could easily arise.
"You go talk to your eldest uncle first. If he's not willing, then consider your other uncles."
In any case, when they made money, it would naturally be shared by everyone.
Jiang Dingcheng had no objections, but Liao Hongmei was a little worried.
"The journey is so long; won't there be any trouble?"
Of course, she was grateful that Cheng You thought of her family when she came up with ways to make money.
But worry was inevitable.
How many people went far from home and never returned.
Cheng You smiled. "No, Captain Qin has been in the transport business for many years and is very experienced. With him accompanying my uncle, there won't be any major problems."
Liao Hongmei nodded, already contemplating how much capital to bring.
"Youyou, how much money do we need to buy these dried seafood and other goods?"
Cheng You said, "It's not necessarily just dried seafood. Since it's a general store, it should have a variety of goods. Uncle can visit several places and bring back anything he thinks is worth selling. He can also leave contact information. For things like seafood, there's not much here, and many people don't know how to eat it. Uncle can ask locals for advice."
Liao Hongmei's thoughts were instantly cleared up.
"Your mind is indeed sharp. I didn't understand it earlier, but after you explained it, I do."
Speaking of money, Cheng You said, "It's best to find the other uncles to pool some money together."
Whether they were willing to participate was one thing, but if you made money secretly and didn't think of your own family, it was bound to cause resentment.
However, Liao Hongmei understood human relationships better than her.
Cheng You took out two thousand yuan and handed it to her.
"This is my share. Auntie can decide what to do with it later."
Liao Hongmei refused a few times, feeling that since Cheng You came up with the idea, she shouldn't have to pay.
But Cheng You insisted, so she finally accepted it, considering it as capital.
"Does Chengyan know about the money you're giving?"
"Yes, I told him."
Although he didn't care how the money in his account was used, Cheng You discussed everything she did with him.
Liao Hongmei nodded. "That's how it should be. Couples should discuss things together."
The young couple had dinner at the Old Jiang family's house and stayed until the afternoon.
Cheng You and Jiang Dingcheng discussed some details, and after integrating everyone's opinions, they began to finalize matters regarding the general store.
It wasn't until the afternoon that they rode their bicycles home.
The roads between the two villages were almost finished, making them much easier to travel than before.
"Once the general store is set up, I plan to find a shop in the county town and open the first Zhen Shan Tang."
Uncle Li said he had no intention of leaving Yongcheng, so Cheng You wanted him to stay and be the resident doctor.
The college entrance examination was in December. If all went smoothly, she would go to college by early next year at the latest.
She needed to hurry.
The purpose of opening the barbecue restaurant and the general store was not for personal profit but to ensure the livelihoods of her friends and family.
This way, she could charge forward without any worries.
Cheng You sat on the back seat, hugging Qi Chengyan's waist, babbling continuously.
He listened attentively, occasionally responding.
Suddenly, the bicycle braked sharply, and Cheng You's nose bumped into his back.
"What's wrong?" Cheng You asked, holding her nose and looking up.
Looking forward, she saw Jiang Wanrou.
"If you've come to beg me, then I advise you to save your breath," Cheng You said preemptively.
Jiang Wanrou snorted with a smug expression.
"I'm not here to beg you. You don't know yet, do you? Yuan He received a telegram from his family, and he'll be able to attend the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University soon!"
Then he could legitimately leave this place and take her back to the city.
Cheng You raised an eyebrow. Worker-Peasant-Soldier University?
A few years ago, this university was an opportunity that everyone longed for.
But with the college entrance examination about to be restored, once everyone got into university, the students who graduated from the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University would have little competitiveness.
So, at this point, it wasn't really a good thing.